COLUMN: Attractive weekend of football on tap

Wednesday

Oct 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM

By Ben Destefan

Good luck finding a weekend with a football schedule more attractive than this one, at least in terms of locality.

Friday night's backyard varsity clash between Waynesboro and Greencastle-Antrim sets the stage before Saturday's marquee showdown at Beaver Stadium, when Penn State hosts Big Ten rival Ohio State. Capping the slate is Sunday's NFL matchup in Pittsburgh with the Steelers welcoming rookie sensation Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins to Heinz Field for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

Usually, I don't start looking ahead to the weekend until Thursday. With what's on tap, that notion officially went out the window.

So, as we wait rather impatiently, let's take a closer look at the three contests comprising a fantastic weekend on the gridiron.

Waynesboro at Greencastle-Antrim,Friday, 7:30 p.m.

For us at The Record Herald, it doesn't get any better than this. Having the opportunity to cover our two schools squaring off head-to-head in any sport speaks for itself. It's just icing on the cake when it happens to take place under the lights on Friday night.

Without overlapping information that will be included in tomorrow's game preview, Friday's matchup comes down to an issue of pride, as both teams enter on the outside looking in at the playoff picture.

Still, we expect a hard-nosed, smash-mouth slugfest between the Route 16 neighbors, with annual bragging rights at stake.

The Indians enter at 2-6 overall while the Blue Devils boast a mark of 3-5, both attempting to close out their respective seasons on a high note. With just two games remaining, a victory Friday night would go a long way heading into the final week of the regular season.

G-A has won the last 10 meetings between the two schools, with Waynesboro's last victory over the Blue Devils coming in 1993.

Ohio State at Penn State,Saturday, 5:30 p.m.

Two months ago, the outcome of this game was a foregone conclusion. The Nittany Lions were apparently dismantled by NCAA sanctions and players transferring, leaving little hope for first-year head coach Bill O'Brien, who was asked to make the best of a no-win situation.

Now, fast forward to this Saturday, when a 5-2 Penn State squad hosts the unbeaten Buckeyes (8-0) with first place in the Big Ten Leaders Division on the line.

Following a pair of non-conference losses to open the season, no one was taking the Nittany Lions seriously, especially considering the circumstances at hand. Five consecutive wins later, Penn State is back on the map and threatening to break into the AP Top 25.

Calling it a turnaround is an understatement.

No, the Nittany Lions will not be eligible for a bowl game or to even play in the Big Ten Championship, should they wind-up winning the division. But, behind the leadership of O'Brien, Penn State has not crumbled the way many, including myself, predicted.

Instead, the Nittany Lions have shouldered the recovery effort of a program and a university, with the ability to continue silencing the doubters by knocking off perennial powerhouse Ohio State on Saturday.

Washington at Pittsburgh,Sunday, 1 p.m.

RG3 has given 'Skins fans something that they haven't had in a very long time — hope. The rookie phenom has taken the NFL by storm, showcasing poise well beyond his years while making electrifying plays with his legs.

Here appears to be the only problem — RG3 doesn't play every position on the field.

Despite the obvious improvement at signal caller, Washington still finds itself at 3-4 and technically in the basement of the NFC East. If the Redskins are indeed going to take the next step, Mr. Griffin is going to need some help, most noticeably on the defensive side of the ball.

Much like the Redskins, Pittsburgh has been severely depleted by a rash of injuries, leaving many to question whether or not age has finally caught up to the vaunted Steelers.

Following last Sunday's win over Cincinnati, Pittsburgh evened its record at 3-3 and currently sits second in the AFC North, a game behind Baltimore in the loss column.

Franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has more or less carried the Steelers to this point, with the defense finally resembling something of its usual self in the final two quarters against the Bengals.

If either Washington or Pittsburgh intends on making a serious playoff push, a win on Sunday will pay huge dividends entering the second half of the season.

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